Owego Hose Teams, Inc, the not-for-profit organization spearheading the Baker Fireman’s Fountain restoration effort, has announced the schedule for the fountain’s rededication this August on the fountain’s 105th birthday weekend. The public is cordially invited to all events the weekend of Aug. 23 in Owego.
The hose team is hosting a gala dinner on Friday night, Aug. 23 in celebration of the fountain’s return at VFW Post #1371 on Main Street. Dinner includes an old-fashioned Italian menu catered by Mario’s Pizza with beer, wine, and soda.
Commemorative items provided to each attendee include a stainless-steel beer mug, wooden nickel, and memorial lanyard. Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. with dinner and presentations at 7 p.m. The Beatles Band will play from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Tickets and registration for $25 are available on the hose team website, www.owegohoseteams.com/dinner/.
Rededication events are planned for Saturday, Aug. 24. Saturday kicks off with a ceremony at the fountain site in the Court House Square at 9 a.m. A grand firefighter’s parade downtown is scheduled (permit pending) for 10:30 a.m. A firematic hose race will take place on lower Front Street starting at noon.
The day’s events conclude at the Rainbow Trail with music by The Gents starting at 5 p.m. More information on the Saturday events can be found at www.owegohoseteams.com/baker-firemans-fountain-rededication-ceremony/.
Work on the Baker Fireman’s Fountain site continued this week with J.O.C. Construction, SDC Concrete, Roy Legursky of Legursky & Sons, and members of the hose team prepping the site for the stamped Maltese Cross pour that will take place the week of July 8. Stamped concrete in the shape of a Maltese Cross, the worldwide symbol of the fire service, will surround the fountain honoring Owego’s five Fallen Firefighters. Hulslander Concrete anticipates their work on the stamped concrete to last a week.
Following the concrete work, Good Earth Landscaping will be onsite completing the project brickwork. A brick walk around will surround the fountain with four 1,000-pound stone benches to be placed so visitors may sit and enjoy the fountain.
A memorial modeled after the Walk of Honor at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md. will also be put down from Main Street to the fountain. The same brick type used at the Emmitsburg Memorial from Glen Gery Bricks is being used in Owego. A total of 541 inscribed bricks have been sold for the memorial walkway to date. Brick sales will continue indefinitely. The hose team anticipates the project’s completion in late July, barring any unforeseen issues.
Project status information is available on the hose team website and Facebook page @owegohoseteams.
Once again here, the Owego PennySaver has authored another great story and afforded coverage to the fire department in particular the Owego hose teams, Inc. For their work and planning of the rededication of the baker fireman’s fountain. The Owego hose team, Inc. Is the Envy of many fire departments in the central New York Firemen’s Association region. I’m sure there are others on this committee who have worked hard but hats off to Mr. Pat Gavin for his dedication and his Relentless energy and doing what is right. The central New York Firemen’s Association applaud your efforts Owego Hose Teams, Inc.
Gordy Kotars, President